Catacombs Provide Claustrophobic Setting for Harrowing Horror Flick

As Above, So Below

Film Review by Kam Williams

Catacombs Provide Claustrophobic Setting for Harrowing Horror Flick

The late alchemist, Dr. Marlowe (Roger Van Hool) lost his mind and then committed suicide over a futile quest for the Philosopher’s Stone supposedly hidden somewhere in the cryptic maze of catacombs beneath Paris. Now, his headstrong young daughter, Scarlet (Perdita Weeks), has decided to follow in daddy’s footsteps by mounting her own search for the sacred talisman said to turn metal into gold.

The determined Brit has prepared herself for the dangerous trek by earning not only Ph.D.s in archeology and symbology, but a black belt in karate to boot. She’s being assisted in this dangerous endeavor by a team comprised of her linguist ex-boyfriend (Ben Feldman); an African-American cameraman (Edwin Hodge); a graffiti artist familiar with the caves (Francois Civil); plus a couple of other local yokels (Marion Lambert and Aly Marhyar).

The motley crew’s descent starts out unremarkably enough, despite a little gallows humor and worries about whether they might encounter any bats or rats. The most concerned participant is George whose little brother Danny (Samuel Aouizerate) drowned in the cave at a young age. Adding fuel to the fear is the fact that the last time George accompanied Scarlet on an expedition he ended up in Turkish prison.

This is the ominous point of departure of As Above, So Below, a found-footage horror flick written and directed by John Erick Dowdle (Quarantine). The film has all the hallmarks of the genre inaugurated by The Blair Witch Project back in 1999, from the claustrophobia created by incessant, extreme close-ups to the seasick cinematography coming courtesy of handheld cameras.

Credit Perdita Weeks as the intrepid protagonist for keeping her audience enthralled even after the production morphs into a farfetched cross of Tomb Raider (2001) and The Da Vinci Code (2006). Whether crawling across piles of skeletons, deciphering ancient Aramaic messages, or fearlessly repelling down uncharted shafts, spunky Scarlet has the ‘tude and charisma to keep you rooting for her as others meet their fate, one-by-one.

A harrowing tale of survival revolving around an endearing heroine every bit as brainy as she is resourceful.

French Ingram Ranch

The historic French Ingram Ranch, 14,035 Acres in Val Verde County, Texas, has over 7 miles of crystal clear flowing Pecos River frontage. This very private ranch has been in the same family since the 1920's and includes a spectacular cut limestone home, custom built in the 1930's. For More information Visit Republic Ranches

“TenPoint’s Venom Crossbow”

“TRUGLO Tru•Point Laser /Light Combo — Installation”

Capture Your Adventure with Tactacam

The new Tactacam camera has been built using the best electronics available.
A good camera has to have a good lens and a good image sensor. Well, the new Tactacam has both.
www.tactacam.comTactacam

“Benjamin’s Trail NP2 Synthetic .22″

A New Era of American Airpower is Here...

“Adrenaline Series”

Greetings from Inconvenience

Michael Howard is a musician; he has been in the business for over thirty years and he’s that incredible conundrum you want to figure out. Hysterical and upbeat…for example, he likes to scream out,.
Greetings from Inconvenience